Whiskey in the Jar
Clancy Brothers & Dubliners Lyrics

As I was a goin' over the far famed Kerry mountains
I was walking across the well-known mountains in Kerry.

I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting
I ran into Captain Farrell while he was counting his money.

I first produced my pistol and I then produced my rapier
I took out my gun and then my sword, showing them to Captain Farrell.

Saying "Stand and deliver" for he were a bold deceiver
I demanded that Farrell hand over his money because he was a liar.

Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
Nonsensical syllables that add to the rhythm of the song.

Whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o
More nonsensical, rhythmic syllables that don't contribute to the meaning of the lyrics.

There's whiskey in the jar
The chorus of the song reminds us that there is whiskey involved in the events being described.

I counted out his money and it made a pretty penny
I took Farrell's money and it was a decent amount.

I put it in me pocket and I took it home to Jenny
I brought the money back to my girlfriend Jenny.

She sighed and she swore that she never would deceive me
Jenny promised that she would never betray me.

But the devil take the women for they never can be easy
The singer laments that women are often difficult to deal with.

I went unto my chamber, all for to take a slumber
I went to my room to get some sleep.

I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder
In my dream, I saw valuable treasures, which was not surprising.

But Jenny drew me charges and she filled them up with water
Jenny filled my pistols with water.

Then sent for captain Farrell to be ready for the slaughter
Jenny called for Farrell, planning to have him killed.

'Twas early in the morning, just before I rose to travel
This event happened early in the morning before I had to leave.

Up comes a band of footmen and likewise captain Farrell
Captain Farrell arrived with a group of men.

I first produced me pistol for she'd stolen away me rapier
I took out my gun because Jenny had taken my sword.

But I couldn't shoot the water, so a prisoner I was taken
As my gun was filled with water, I couldn't defend myself and was captured.

Now there's some take delight in the carriages a rollin'
Some people enjoy watching fancy carriages go by.

And others take delight in the hurling and the bowling
Others enjoy playing sports like hurling and bowling.

But I take delight in the juice of the barley
The singer enjoys drinking barley-based beverages like whiskey.

And courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early
The singer also enjoys flirting with pretty women early in the morning.

If anyone can aid me 'tis my brother in the army
The singer thinks his brother in the army can help him.

If I can find his station in Cork or in Killarney
The singer needs to locate his brother's base in either Cork or Killarney.

And if he'll go with me, we'll go rovin' in Kilkenney
If his brother agrees to go with him, they will go wandering around Kilkenney.

And I'm sure he'll treat me better than me own me sportin' Jenny
The singer thinks his brother will treat him better than his girlfriend Jenny.

Mush-a ring dumb-a do dumb-a da
Another use of nonsensical syllables in the chorus.

Whack fall the daddy-o, whack fall the daddy-o
More nonsensical, rhythmic syllables in the chorus.

There's whiskey in the jar
The chorus repeats the reminder that whiskey is involved in the events of the song.